Politics

Republican Lawmaker Says He’s Not Racist Because His ‘Son Is Named After A Black Guy’

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Former Navy SEAL and Republican Virginia Rep. Scott Taylor said he is not racist because his “son is named after a black guy” in response to his Democratic opponent asking him to disavow controversial Senate candidate Corey Stewart.

Taylor will face challenger Democrat Elaine Luria in November, reported The Hill. Luria demanded that Taylor “reject the fact that Corey Stewart stands next to racists and anti-Semites” at a rally for Stewart’s opponent Democrat Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine during the weekend, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

Taylor has refused to endorse or condemn Stewart, a Republican who is also running in Virginia. Stewart has been blasted for his connections to self-described “pro-white” congressional candidate Paul Nehlen and Unite the Right organizer Jason Kessler. Stewart has since renounced any connections to the men or their views.

Taylor said that “no one cares” about Corey Stewart “except for Democrats who are trying to target me.”

“What are they trying to say?” Taylor told The Virginian-Pilot. “That Scott Taylor likes Corey Stewart so therefore he’s a racist? … My son is named after a black guy. I’m a military guy. We don’t give a shit about where you come from. Black, white, brown, gay, straight. I don’t care.”

Taylor has a 5-year-old son who is reportedly named Sterling, although his specific namesake is unknown, according to The Hill.

“The kid was named after a black guy who was killed giving his life for them in Afghanistan,” Taylor said in a tweet on Monday.

Taylor also looks forward to debating Luria because she said she voted for him in 2016, he told The Virginian-Pilot.

Follow Evie on Twitter @eviefordham.

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